Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao INQUIRER PHOTO
Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao on Wednesday downplayed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s call for his expulsion, as well as her “mouthpiece and attack dog” remarks against him.
In a statement, Casilao said he was “saddened” that Duterte-Carpio’s “comprehension of the electoral process, democratic principles and the party-list system is at this level.”
He also dismissed Carpio’s claim that he was a “mouthpiece and the attack dog” of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Casilao said over the past few days, he had been busy in responding to the arrest of Australian missionary nun Patricia Fox, and in participating in protest actions led by Bantay Bigas for a serious solution to the National Food Authority rice shortage.
“Basing on these mere issues alone, we assert we are no mouthpiece of the New People’s Army (NPA),” Casilao said.
The progressive lawmaker also said he is troubled that the Davao City mayor branded the International Fact-finding and Solidarity Mission (IFSM) as composed of NPA sympathizers.
The IFSM seeks to probe the killings and human rights violations against farmers in Mindanao.
Casilao also appealed that both sides focus on the revival of the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the government.
“We call for the broadest support of the resumption of the peace talks between NDFP and the government, for the attainment of just and lasting peace in the country,” he said.
He also urged the presidential daughter to express her opinions on peace talks to the government panel led by Secretary Jesus Dureza.
On Tuesday, Duterte-Carpio assailed Casilao after he issued a statement against the latter’s opposition to the resumption of the peace talks.
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“Mr. Ariel Casilao’s comment on my opinion on the resumption of the peace talks is telling of how the representative of Anakpawis has designated himself as the mouthpiece and the attack dog of the groups responsible for a long list of terroristic activities against the people and the state over the past 40 years,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“His colleagues in the House of Representatives should expel him. And if it is the desire of Casilao to continue attacking the government, which he is supposed to be a part of, he should resign and join his brother in the communist movement,” she added./ac